My letter to Dr. Phil
I just finished watching his program on autistic children. Although I usually agree with what he has to say, today was not one of those days. There were parents there who are suing a grade school teacher for abuse of their children. It could have just as easily been me if I stayed in my SDC class.
Here's the letter:
Dr. Phil,
I just watched your show on autistic children. I was very upset by how the abuse by the teacher was presented. I was a special education teacher in an SDC class for 6 months (2007). I requested a transfer to regular ed and am so grateful I did because I could see myself winding up in the same situation as this teacher. The lawyer spoke about making sure the credentialed teachers have background in autism. We do...it's part of the credentialing process to understand different abilities we might find in our classrooms. In the past autistic children were left to severe classes, but now it is common to find them in SDC classes as well. In my class of 12 over half had autism. I also had students who were misplaced that belonged in severe who had things like prader-willi and mental retardation. Rather than change the placement of these students, the powers that be in the district basically blamed me, that I wasn't properly disciplining the students. Administration at the school I was at agreed Meanwhile I was begging for help. My students threatened to kill me, much like Luce on today's program, I had students hit me everyday, bite me, kick me, and do the same to other students. There was constant screaming as well. The students would tantrum and throw themselves on the floor. I have no doubt in my mind if I had remained in that class that CPS would've been called on me and that I would be facing the same charges. The parents don't realize how destructive their children are and tend to blame the teachers. These same parents claim their students are saints at home, yet I know that can't be the case otherwise why aren't they telling me what works for them at home so I can implement it in the classroom? Less than a week after my transfer one of my former students poked another student in the eye. I'm so grateful and happy to be out of that situation. Because I am getting a dual credential I have to finish the special education part of it within 5 years, however I never want to be in special education again.
Sincerely,
Jenn
Here's the letter:
Dr. Phil,
I just watched your show on autistic children. I was very upset by how the abuse by the teacher was presented. I was a special education teacher in an SDC class for 6 months (2007). I requested a transfer to regular ed and am so grateful I did because I could see myself winding up in the same situation as this teacher. The lawyer spoke about making sure the credentialed teachers have background in autism. We do...it's part of the credentialing process to understand different abilities we might find in our classrooms. In the past autistic children were left to severe classes, but now it is common to find them in SDC classes as well. In my class of 12 over half had autism. I also had students who were misplaced that belonged in severe who had things like prader-willi and mental retardation. Rather than change the placement of these students, the powers that be in the district basically blamed me, that I wasn't properly disciplining the students. Administration at the school I was at agreed Meanwhile I was begging for help. My students threatened to kill me, much like Luce on today's program, I had students hit me everyday, bite me, kick me, and do the same to other students. There was constant screaming as well. The students would tantrum and throw themselves on the floor. I have no doubt in my mind if I had remained in that class that CPS would've been called on me and that I would be facing the same charges. The parents don't realize how destructive their children are and tend to blame the teachers. These same parents claim their students are saints at home, yet I know that can't be the case otherwise why aren't they telling me what works for them at home so I can implement it in the classroom? Less than a week after my transfer one of my former students poked another student in the eye. I'm so grateful and happy to be out of that situation. Because I am getting a dual credential I have to finish the special education part of it within 5 years, however I never want to be in special education again.
Sincerely,
Jenn